ADDRESS BY DR. OTIVE IGBUZOR AT THE LAUNCH OF UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S NETWORK OF MEN LEADERS TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, NIGERIA ON 29TH NOVEMBER, 2013
Protocols
I feel highly honoured to introduce the UN Secretary General’s Network of Men Leaders to end Violence against Women. On 23rd October, 2012, the UN Secretary General appointed 39 leaders across the world as network of men leaders to end violence against women.
It is well established that violence against women and girls is a huge challenge and an obstacle to development across the world. It has been recognized as an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of equality, development and peace.
[i] In recent years, there is an increased reportage or incidence of violence against women and girls across the world. There is no doubt that accelerated development which is greatly needed across the world cannot take place without addressing the challenges of violence against women and girls.
Over the years, several attempts have been made to tackle the problem of violence against women and girls but the challenge remains daunting. In recent years, governments, scholars and the international community have taken greater interest on matters relating to violence against women and girls.
The acts of violence against women and girls are numerous and include domestic violence, rape, incest, child sexual abuse, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, physical assault, acid bath, harmful traditional practices (widowhood rites, female genital mutilation, male child preference etc) economic deprivation, neglect and abandonment etc
[ii]The problem of violence against women is a global phenomenon. The World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicates that at least one in five of the world’s female population, has been physically or sexually abused by a man or men at some point in their life.
[iii]It has been documented that wife abuse is the leading cause of injury among women of reproductive age in the United States and that 4,835 “dowry related deaths” were recorded in India in 1990.
[iv] It has been estimated that 85 to 114 million women and girls have been subjected to female genital mutilation, the majority of them in Africa.
[v]One in three Nigerian women and girls aged 15-24 have been victims of violence.
Violence against women is not only a human rights issue but also a development issue because of the link between poverty, human insecurity and violence.
[vi]Men and boys can engage in practical work to eliminate violence against women by speaking out publicly against violence against women; working on themselves to change their attitude and behavior; serve as mentor or good role model for others to emulate; take action as a neighbor, friend, classmate, co-worker, teammate or even someone unknown to you whenever you encounter violence against women or work as allies with women to eliminate violence against women.
It is in recognition of the role that men and boys can play that the Secretary General set up the Network of Men Leaders. The launch of the network is a part of the growing effort to include men as part of the solution to ending violence against women. The network supports the work of women around the world to defy destructive stereotypes, embracing equality and inspire men and boys everywhere to speak out against violence. The network is set up in recognition of the fact that many men are uncomfortable with stereotypical and violent behavior towards women and would intervene to end violence against women and girls.
UN SECRETARY GENERAL NETWORK OF MEN LEADERS
The UN Secretary General’s network is made up of current and former politicians, civil society and youth activists, religious and community leaders, cultural figures and other prominent individuals. The network currently has 39 members including Mr. Franco Frattini (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy) and Mr. Jerzy Buzek (President of the European Parliament). From Africa, there are four members, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Mr. Kumi Naido (Secretary General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation), Mr. Emmanuel Ochora (Co-founder of the Gulu Youth for Action (GYFA) in Uganda and Dr. Otive Igbuzor of Nigeria. The network believes that men have a crucial role to play as fathers, friends, decision makers, and community and opinion leaders in speaking out against violence against women and ensuring that attention is given to the issue. Men can provide positive role models for young men and boys based on healthy models of masculinity.
NETWORK OF MEN LEADERS TO END VAW, NIGERIA
The Network of Men Leaders to end VAW, Nigeria is set up to provide a platform for leaders in Nigeria to advocate for, and provide guidance and direction to end violence against women and girls within their communities. Men Leaders who are members of the network will be involved in advocacy, providing guidance and direction and highlighting good practices and deploring bad examples. The objectives of the Network will include:
a. To contribute to mobilization and change in the culture, attitudes and behavior that perpetuate all forms of violence against women in Africa
b. To motivate and encourage mobilization and action by men as well as women to contribute to preventing violence against women.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS OF THE NETWORK
The responsibilities of members of the Network will include:
· To actively advocate for zero tolerance of violence against women and girls of all ages
· To promote publicly, through the media, and other avenues as appropriate, a positive role model of men preventing violence against women and girls;
· To support women’s and men’s organizations and networks and, through leadership and by example, support their efforts to end violence against women and girls.
CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
All members of the network must fulfil the criteria below:
1. Commitment to use all appropriate avenues to work to bring an end to all forms of violence against women and girls
2. Commitment not to engage in any actions or activities that will jeopardize the work to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls.
3. Affirmation that the member has never used nor condoned violence against women and girls.
4. Commitment to use time, energy and resources to work to end violence against women and girls.
Already over thirty persons have signed as members of the network across the country. More men have promised to attend the launching this morning and sign the membership form. We hope to set up a network of volunteer lawyers across the country to take on cases of violence against women on pro bono basis to be co-ordinated by Bar. Ngozi Izuora.
We wish to use this medium to call on all well meaning people across the world to support actions that will contribute to ending violence against women.
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